Firefighter/Paramedic Eric F. Reiner City of Los Angeles Fire Department (CA) 1998

Helen Reiner Worthen, of Los Angeles, California, is the mother of Eric F. Reiner, a 10-year career firefighter/paramedic with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department. On March 23, 1998, Eric died in a helicopter crash while airlifting a young girl who had been seriously injured in an auto accident. The three paramedics and the young girl they were transporting died when the helicopter crashed due to rotor failure.

In honor of Eric's memory, Helen has been a member of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Fire Service Survivors Network for over 6 years. Through the Network she reaches out to newly-bereaved parents throughout the year all over the United States. During the Annual Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD, she co-facilitates Mothers' Small Groups. Helen also is a Facilitator for the Taking Care Of Our Own® Training Programs presented to regional fire departments throughout the country by the Foundation. Helen represents the Foundation at local, state and national fire service meetings as needed.